Attention Infinix Note 3 users in Kenya and beyond, there’s some Nougat bite waiting in store for you right now. You only need to navigate to your device’s settings application, go to About phone and hit the System Update option to see if your update is ready.
This is the case for both the standard Infinix Note 3 (X601) and the Infinix Note 3 Pro. The devices are identical with minor differences in the amount of memory (2GB vs 3GB RAM) and the choice of processor (the MediaTek-made MT6573 vs another MediaTek chip, the Helio X10 MT6795) setting them apart.
The update, which reportedly started rolling out yesterday, brings with it several features to Infinix’s big smartphone.
Users will, for instance, be able to just swipe from left to right on the lock screen to change the lock screen wallpaper (when Magazine lock screen is enabled), a handy feature since doing that has always meant a trip to the cluttered settings app while on the home screen there’s a click wheel that changes home screen wallpapers in a snap. Split screen multitasking also becomes possible with the update. Remember, multi-window is one of the standout features of Android 7.0 so this was to be expected. On a device as large as the Note 3, being able to take advantage of the expansive display is always a good thing. No?
The fingerprint sensor is also getting some more uses instead of being just there to unlock the device and provide access to apps like Telegram and LastPass. After updating, users will be able to use it to stop alarms, to start call recording and quick start some applications, according to the release notes accompanying the update.
Before going ahead to update, there are certain things to take note of. Make sure your device is charged up to at least 50%. The recommended minimum is 30% but trust me, you don’t want to be living on the brink. Also, if you are one of the few that love to tinker with their devices and your adventure in Androidland has led you to root your Infinix Note 3 then things may break once you install the update. Make peace with the Infinix gods by reflashing (manually) stock firmware based on Marshmallow and then lookout for the Nougat update.
Since the update is over 1.5GB, you will need to be on Wi-Fi if you don’t want to exhaust your cellular data plan.
Android Nougat’s sorry numbers should be getting a bump by the time Google tells us how it’s fairing early next month since it is devices like the Infinix Note 3 and other budget smartphones that have a higher chance of having a real impact on those charts than your usual high-end gadget.
Screengrabs courtesy of Paul Ruto and Felix Kamuri
